Energy efficiency is a very complex concept that refers not only to the final consumption, but also to the intermediate production activities. The decreased utilization of resources is a requirement for any company manager who aims to increase profitability and the specific yield. This does not mean losing from sight the final goal and all its subordinate elements that relate to reducing consumption in daily activities. However, to achieve such performance, it is necessary for the entire manufacturing process to become  less energy intensive, perfectly adapted to current state of art and able to provide all the necessary conditions for sustainable approaches. Facilities with strong energy performances began to be developed more than 20 years ago. Recently, experts from Germany have conducted an interesting experiment, consisting in the observation by specialists of the specific activity of producers which have implemented the management optimization systems of their production units (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 16001). The main objective was to carry out a production process unaccompanied by carbon dioxide emissions. The premises were considered correct, given the comprehensibility systems implemented, subsequently integrated into a correct management framework. The challenge was related to measuring emissions of greenhouse gases for different tasks, including those generated by energy consumption. To achieve the proposed target, a resource management concept was used. According to ISO 14040 standard, life cycle assessment - LCA (which includes the stages of extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, use, dismantling and recycling) is actually a compilation which sizes the inflows/outflows, analyzing the possible effects these might generate on the environment. LCA concept is generally used for: analyzing strengths and weaknesses, improving environmental characteristics, establishing decision-making process aimed at procurement processes, promoting products/processes with low environmental impact, making comparisons between alternative forms of conduct, development and justification of recommended actions etc. For further information and a detailed analysis of the current TOP-Fereastra issue click here!